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Blind Side (1993)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 9/23

BlSide
9/23: Blind Side is manipulative.

The solutions are obvious, but the Kaines choose to either ignore or not pursue them. One is going to a lawyer. They did it, but his enterprise was tax, so he referred the couple to a criminal attorney. So, what happens next? Nothing. At any rate, exploring legal avenues would've avoided everything that had happened including a restraining order for Shell. Hiring a private detective is a good idea, too.

Then, there's the physical beating of their secretary. That alone is enough to involve the cops to put Shell away for a long time. Anything he says, especially in regard to what happened in Mexico, won't matter. Unbelievably, it's never followed up. Doug Kaines said he was getting a gun, but nothing happened. When Shell was trespassing inside the house with criminal intent, Doug did have the right to shoot him dead based on the castle doctrine. See, getting a lawyer will have helped, so he'll know what his rights are.

Of course, nothing ever happens. The Kaines just let Shell encroach more and more, no matter what. The police badge? Who cares? It's no longer relevant, having been taken from the scene of crime. Skipping over the border was the best thing the Kaine had done because they would be untouchable going forward, provided they didn't go back again. Worst of all is the fact that Shell "saw" what happened. Yeah, right...it'll be an unbelievable coincidence. Giving him a job is the stupidest thing that the Kaines had done.

Ron Silver and Rebecca De Mornay are generally fine, but it's Rutger Hauer's indestructible character I can't stand the most. Hence, he ruins the movie. The formula is familiar, having been done before in Cape Fear although it's a lot closer to the remake: the Kaines are the Bowdens while Shell is Max Cady and the rape victim is the secretary in the place of Diane Taylor/Lori Davis. Naturally in the world of cinema, the only way to solve the dilemma is killing the bad guy.

All in all, the downfall of Blind Side is Rutger Hauer along with the annoying manipulations.